Show: WWE SmackDown
Location: Memphis, TN at the FedEx Forum
Date: 1/17/17
Airing on the USA Network
Welcome to SmackDown Live. Shane McMahon walks down to the ring to open the show. McMahon hyped up the Royal Rumble PPV and then announced a WWE Championship match Elimination Chamber match at the Elimination Chamber PPV next month. This led to AJ Styles walking out. Styles wasn’t happy about defending the WWE Championship at the Elimination Chamber PPV. McMahon pointed out that Styles might not be champion by then and that John Cena could be the champion. Styles said that Cena being champion wouldn’t happen. McMahon didn’t like Styles’ attitude. Styles threatened to take the championship with him back to Japan. Styles pointed out that he never competed in such a match. This led to Cena walking out. Styles said that Cena doesn’t respect him. Styles wanted to know why the fans were against him. He wants to know who is next to come out and steal his spotlight. The Miz and Maryse walked out. Miz vowed to beat Dean Ambrose to regain the Intercontinental Championship and then said that he’ll win the Royal Rumble to go on to main event WrestleMania. Styles told The Miz to stay away from him and the Elimination Chamber match. Miz told Styles to stop worrying about Cena because he was beating Cena before beating Cena was cool. Miz said that he was the one who made the IC Championship more prestigious once again. Styles said that the last time they were in Memphis he knocked Miz’s teeth out and that he is surprise Miz doesn’t have a lisp. Miz and Styles was about to fight. McMahon stopped them and booked Miz vs. Styles tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Ambrose told McMahon backstage that he wanted to face Randy Orton tonight. McMahon granted the match.
Singles Match: The Miz vs. AJ Styles. John Cena was on commentary for this match.
They start out the match with some technical wrestling. Miz sent him to the apron, Maryse distracted Styles and Miz kicked him to the floor.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with The Miz knocking Styles down. Miz went to the top rope but Styles kicked him in the gut and went for the Styles Clash. Miz blocked it and poked him in the eyes. Miz with a DDT for 2. Styles rolled him up for 2. Styles kicked him out of the ring and landed a knee strike. Styles tried to send Miz into Cena but Cena stopped Miz. Styles attacked Cena causing the DQ. Cena hit an AA to Styles as well as Miz. Cena stood tall with the WWE Championship and then walked to the back.
-Commercial Break-
Nikki Bella walked out and said that she was going to finish what her and Natalya started last week. She called out Natalya, who didn’t walk out. Bella said that Natalya was the best at stabbing people in the back. Natalya came through the crowd and said watched the trion. Natalya then went to the merchandise stand. Bella walked after her. Natalya showed that her shirt was not at the merchandise booth. Natalya said that Bret Hart and Nikki would die alone. Natalya grabbed some merchandise and threw it in the trash. Bella attacked her and a brawl broke out.
-Commercial Break-
Alexa Bliss cuts a backstage promo about retaining the SmackDown Live Women’s Title against Becky Lynch tonight.
A video package for Kurt Angle’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame was shown.
Singles Match: Dean Ambrose vs. Randy Orton.
Orton went for a quick roll up to begin the match. Ambrose ducked a clothesline and landed a crossbody then some right hands. Orton rolled out of the ring and Wyatt tried to pump him up. Back in the ring, Orton knocked him down and hit a suplex sending Ambrose to the top rope. Orton with a series of knee strikes but Ambrose answered with a big boot. Ambrose went to the top rope and hit an elbow drop for 2. Orton blocked the Dirty Deeds. Orton went to the floor, and Ambrose hit a clothesline. Orton sent him into the ring post and the announce table.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Ambrose connected with a clothesline to Orton. Ambrose followed up with a neck breaker for 2. They exchanged strikes until Orton caught him with a scoop slam for 2. They battled on the top rope until Ambrose missed a crossbody and each blocked the others finisher. Ambrose with a clothesline to get a two count. Orton caught him a kick and teased the second rope DDT but Ambrose back dropped him to the floor then took out Harper with an outside dive. Back in the ring, Orton hit the draping DDT. Orton went for the RKO, but Harper got into the ring. Orton got him out of the ring, and ambrose rolled up Orton to pick up the win.
Winner: Ambrose.
Post-match, Orton, and Harper started brawling. Bray Wyatt told them to stop. Harper tried to go after Orton, but Wyatt punched Harper.
Lynch cuts a backstage promo and said that we would find out who Bliss was tonight and that it wouldn’t be a champion.
-Commercial Break-
Jerry “The King” Lawler is in the ring for King’s Court. Lawler said that it’s great to be back and introduced Dolph Ziggler, who walked down to the ring. Lawler said that he wanted Ziggler to be on the show as he has known him for a long time. However, Ziggler’s attitude has changed and what’s up with that. Ziggler refused to comment. Lawler said that he thinks Ziggler is frustrated that he hasn’t been winning matches as of late thus the heel turn. Lawler showed foot of Ziggler turning heel two weeks. Ziggler was about to leave but then said that he knew Lawler would make him look bad in front of his family and friends. Ziggler said that he brought some footage as well and told Lawler to take a hard look at it. Ziggler showed footage of Ziggler elbowing Lawler from a match in 2012, which is when Lawler had his heart attack on RAW. Ziggler pointed out that the match took place minutes before Lawler had a heart attack and that he knows Lawler blamed him for it. Ziggler said that Lawler should’ve blamed him for it. Ziggler noted that it took a while for Lawler to face him in person and threatened to finish what he started four years ago if Lawler didn’t stop asking questions. Lawler said that is too bad as he has one more question for him. Lawler asked how he feels to be a loser despite changing his character. Ziggler superkicked Lawler in the chest. Ziggler walked to the back as Lawler was screaming for him to get back into the ring.
-Commercial Break-
SmackDown Live Women’s Championship Match: Alexa Bliss © vs. Becky Lynch.
Bliss tried to escape right away but Lynch stopped her. Lynch knocked her down and tried to escape but Bliss stopped her. Lynch with an arm drag and then an heel kick. Bliss beat her down in the corner. The fought on the top rope and both fell off to send us to commercial break.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Bliss in control of Lynch. Bliss sent her into the steel but missed a spear and ate a spear. Lynch tried to escape through the door but Lynch stopped her. Lynch went to the top rope and hit a drop kick for 2. Lynch hit a suplex off the top rope for 2. Lynch tried to escape but La Luchadora blocked the door. Lynch tried to lock in the disarmer on Bliss but Luchadora kicked her. Bliss hit a DDT for the win.
Winner: Bliss.
Post-match, Luchadora and Bliss attacked Lynch but Lynch fought back. Luchadora was unmasked and Mickie James was revealed. Bliss beat down Lynch. James and Bliss celebrated in the ring to close the show.
Thanks for watching along and we will see you next time.
